Surf City Sunrise Smoothie with Strawberry, Pineapple and Apricot

A bright, citrus-forward summer smoothie inspired by Jan's Health Bar in Huntington Beach. Fresh apricots, strawberries, frozen pineapple, honey, and a squeeze of lemon and lime.

Jul 25, 2026

Jennifer Ann Blair writes about food, wine, and the stories that live in recipe boxes.

Jan’s Health Bar launched inside Huntington Surf and Sport in 1972. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s beloved in Southern California. The lucky ones who never left go back often. If you’ve moved away, it’s the first stop when you visit.

Jan eventually moved to her own location on Main Street. It’s still there, after 50 years, now in 8 locations and run by Poppy Holguin, Jan’s first employee. Friendly and memorable, it still serves healthy, nutritious, delicious dishes. Jan retired after 38 years, having happily fed the local community and her neighbors; her mission was to respect the product she created. When Poppy bought Jan’s, she kept it just as it was. Same name, same food, same goodness.

My smoothie recipe is inspired by Jan’s smoothies, built using what I had in my refrigerator and freezer and what was in season in summer. I discovered a small batch of apricots at Trader Joe’s, and knew immediately what to do with them. I had strawberries in the fridge that were fresh but ready to move past their prime and frozen pineapple that was lonely and needed some friends to hang out with. After blending, it transformed into a sweet-and-sour balance of citrus and berries, tropical and tangy. My 13-year-old Vitamix did most of the work. Adding the water first protected the blades and created a whirlpool that pulled the heavier solids down, while the frozen pineapple created a thicker texture. This smoothie was named after Huntington Beach’s nickname, “Surf City USA," successfully secured in 1994. Considered a surf hub after Duke Kahanamoku popularized the sport in 1925.

I grew up in Huntington Beach, California. As a kid, I had a lot of freedom. The rule was simple: go have fun, be home by six. My sisters and my friends did just that. Hop on a bike, ride toward the ocean, the beach, the surfers, and always a stop at Jan’s. Just for a smoothie.